Wind-driven power plant equipped with folding and lifting mechanism for raising and stowing the tower

ABSTRACT

A wind-driven electric plant includes a mast with a windwheel and a generator, a shielding chamber with a base, walls and a cover. According to one embodiment, said mast is attached to the shielding chamber base by a fastening-lifting device attached to a mast transfer mechanism for stowing the mast into the chamber or placing the mast into operating position. The mast comprises a set of pivotally connected sections, with the ability to fold and spread, preferably under the control of an automatic control device. In a second embodiment, the mast comprises a set of telescoping sections attached to a post, rigidly fastened to the base of the chamber, with the ability of the mast vertical movement therein. Both embodiments preferably comprise both manual control and automatic remote control. Also, both embodiments preferably comprise a mechanism for opening and closing the shielding chamber cover connected to an automatic control device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The invention relates generally to wind-power engineering and particularly to wind-driven electric plants, providing an optimal plant operation in emergency cases, preventing its destruction, under strong wind loads (a storm, a tornado, a whirlwind), at an earthquake risk, under a threat of radioactive danger and so on.

2. Discussion of the Background

Wind-driven electric plants comprising a mast with a windwheel and a generator along with a control system are known in the art. SU_(—)1612107 (Jul. 12, 1990). This known device provides protection of the plant structural components under strong wind loads. The windwheel blades turn to a feather position by means of blade rotation gear according to a control system command from the wind speed sensor under a storm wind, preventing blade destruction under the windwheel excessive acceleration because of a storm wind. A shortcoming of the known device is its inferior reliability, caused by blades remaining set to power takeoff angles when the blade rotation gear or the control system fails. When such failure occurs, a storm wind can rotate the windwheel to an unacceptably high speed, which can entail the windwheel's destruction.

Also known in the art is a wind-driven electric plant containing a mast with a windwheel and a generator, a shielding chamber comprising a base, walls and a cover, and a mast transfer control device, connected with response sensors. (RU patent 55,887, Int. Class F03D 7/04, F03D 11/04, Aug. 27, 2006). The mast is tightened at the shielding chamber base by a fastening-and-lifting device and attached to a mast transfer mechanism for its stowing in the shielding chamber or for setting the mast to operating position. This device is prior art.

The mast in the prior art is tightened at the shielding chamber base by four braces, one of said braces is equipped with a rod, connected with a folding-spreading gear for the mast stowing in the shielding chamber or for its settling to the vertical operating position. The plant is equipped with an emergency response sensor and a folding-and-spreading gear automatic control system, connected with each other, for an automatic folding-and-spreading process.

One of the considerable shortcomings of the prior art is its inferior efficiency in emergency situations, caused by a number of structural constraints. Thus, a fastening-lifting device, realized as four braces, one of which is equipped with a rod, connected to a gear of a mast transfer mechanism, doesn't provide for quick and efficient stowing of the mast with the windmill to the shielding chamber as well as mounting back thereof to the vertical operating position, since simultaneous manipulation with length of other braces is necessary for realizing the required operations. This increases a number of actuating devices and requires their synchronized actions, thus increasing the complexity of the device and increasing the execution time of operations. Moreover, mechanical damage to the device structural elements may occur during the mast stowing in the shielding chamber. It should be also mentioned that the known device can't provide continuing functioning in case of power supply failure under extreme conditions.

Abovementioned shortcomings considerably decrease the efficiency of the prior art device under extreme conditions.

SUMMARY

The claimed invention is directed to efficiency and reliability increase of a wind-driven electric device functioning under extreme conditions by improved operation of the device characteristics, such as immediacy of the device stowing in the shielding chamber, continuity of operational cycle, and device safety and portability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the claimed invention is also disclosed in the examples of its realization with the reference to the applied figures, said figures demonstrating the following:

FIGS. 1( a-d) are diagrams of a wind driven power plant according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wind driven power plant according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a wind driven power plant according to a third embodiment.

The abovementioned technical result is obtained according to the first embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1) by the wind-driven electric plant, comprising a mast with a windwheel and a generator, a shielding chamber with a base, walls and a cover, and an automatic control device connected to response sensors. Said mast is fastened into the shielding chamber base by a fastening-lifting device attached to a mast transfer mechanism for stowing thereof into the shielding chamber or for setting the mast into the operating position. Said fastening-and- lifting device is realized as a post, and realized with the ability of rigid fastening with the mast base and a hinging to the base of the shielding chamber and pivotally connected to the mast transfer mechanism.

In some embodiments, the mast is realized as a set of sections pivotally connected with each other, with the capability of folding and spreading, and with an automatic control device.

The abovementioned technical result is achieved in a second embodiment (FIG. 2) of a wind-driven electric plant comprising a mast with a windwheel and a generator, a shielding chamber with a base, walls and a cover, and an automatic control device connected to response sensors. Said mast is fastened at the shielding chamber base by a fastening-lifting device attached to a mast transfer mechanism for stowing thereof into the shielding chamber or for setting the mast into the operating position. Said mast is realized as a set of sections with the ability of telescopic folding and spreading, and is connected to the automatic control device. The fastening-lifting device is realized as a post, rigidly fastened to the base of the shielding chamber, with the capability of mast vertical movement therein.

Both embodiments may include an additional mast section folding and spreading mechanism realized with the capability of manual control. In addition, both embodiments may comprise automatic remote control.

Also, both embodiments may further include a mechanism for opening and closing a shielding chamber cover. The cover opening mechanism may be connected to an automatic control device and/or a manual control device.

Both embodiments discussed above may comprises meteorological sensors, and/or photo sensors and/or video sensors, equipped with a comparator unit of a visual image and extreme situation images, and/or radiation sensors, and/or radio signal receivers as response sensors. The meteorological sensors may include temperature, pressure, humidity and wind speed sensors or a combination of two or more of the following. A threshold may be associated with each sensor such that a sensed condition that crosses the threshold may trigger the stowing or unfolding of the windwheel. The photo sensor may comprise, for example, a photographic satellite. The image from the satellite may be on the range of 1 square kilometer. An emergency condition is defined for the image, so that the windwheel can be stowed when the emergency condition is detected in the image and unfolded when the condition has passed. The radio signal receiver may be configured to detect an emergency message broadcast by, e.g., an official notification system such as the Emergency Broadcast System in the U.S.

In addition, both embodiments may comprise an independent power supply source (unit), connected to the automatic control device. The independent power supply unit may be a solar photo converter and/or a solar thermal collector with thermal-electric energy converter, and/or a diesel-electric unit and an accumulator battery.

Also, according to the both embodiments, the stand-alone shielding chamber is preferably located below the ground level.

The particular research proved, that performance of the fastening-lifting device as a post, realized with the ability of rigid fastening with the mast base and hinging with the base of the shielding chamber and hinging with the mast transfer mechanism allows to achieve considerable processes simplification and acceleration of the mast stowing in the shielding chamber and/or its setting back into the vertical operating position. The sectional realization of the mast, pivotally connected with each other with the ability of folding and spreading and connected with the automatic control device, enables preliminary execution of the mast sections folding on the response command accepting (e.g. under extreme situation) with its further stowing in the shielding chamber in the folded form, considerably decreases the risk of mechanical damage of the structural elements during the process of stowing in the shielding chamber, as well as during the device temporary closedown, and positively effects the device's work efficiency on the whole.

In the second embodiment, the mast is realized as a set of sections with the ability of telescopic folding and spreading, and a lifting support device comprises a post, rigidly fastened to a base of a shielding chamber, with the ability of the mast vertical movement therein. The abovementioned characteristics of the second embodiment of the wind-driven electric plant provides efficient work thereof in a presence of extreme situations due to the processes simplification and acceleration of the mast stowing in the shielding chamber and its setting back into the operating position and decreases the risk of damage.

Supplying of the wind-driven electric plant according to both embodiments with the mechanism of folding and spreading of the mast sections with the ability of manual control allows folding and spreading of the mast sections in an emergency, thereby ensuring continuity of the plant operation.

Supplying of the wind-driven electric plant according to both embodiments with the remote control ensures immediacy of the plant temporary closedown under a threat of an emergency situation and its setting back to the operating position.

Supplying of the wind-driven electric plant in both embodiments with the mechanism of opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover, connected with the automatic control device, allows this process to be accelerated upon accepting a response command (e.g. under an extreme situation) and considerably increases device efficiency.

Additionally, supplying the wind-driven electric plant in both embodiments with a manual control mechanism for opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover allows the emergency opening/closing of the shielding chamber cover in a worst-case situation and thereby ensures continuity of the plant operation process.

Research has shown that use of meteorological sensors, and/or photo sensors and/or video sensors, equipped with a comparator unit of a visual image and extreme situation images, and/or radiation sensors, and/or radio signal receivers as response sensors for the both variants of the invention provides the ability of efficient response to a wide spectrum of signals/indicators of an extreme situation threat or its approach, and thereby increases the efficiency of the plant work under said extreme conditions.

Supplying of the wind-driven electric plant in both embodiments with an independent power supply source (unit), connected with the plant automatic control device, and realized as a solar photo converter and/or a solar thermal collector with a thermal-electric energy converter, and/or a diesel-electric unit and an accumulator battery, ensures continuity of plant operation in case of power failure under extreme operating conditions.

Also, both embodiments of the invention provide an opportunity of the plant shielding chamber being located below ground level, thereby providing an increase of the plant protection from environmental conditions and supporting continual and safe operation of the plant.

The increase of the plant protection from an influence of strong wind flows in emergency cases and the improvement of operating characteristics therefore enhance the plant operating time under the normal exploitation conditions.

The automatic system operating speed and immediacy of the plant protection by the mechanisms increases the efficiency of the plant protection and thus the plant operation life. The continuity of the plant operating process under extreme situations gives the ability of the plant protection mechanisms activation, to execute the work of response sensors and the operations for establishing of the plant normal exploitation conditions.

The safe working of the plant under extreme conditions is provided by the efficient protection, operating speed and immediacy of the plant protection actuating mechanisms as well as by the ability of the continual plant operating process supported by means of additional sources of power.

The automatic control device, used in the both embodiments, is an automatic electronic switch, comprising, e.g., conversion units, commutations and couplings, which allows the generation of commands, necessary for the device operation, e.g., commands for the mast movement for its stowing in the shielding chamber or for setting the mast to operating position, the mast section folding/spreading, opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover, and switching on/off of an independent power supply source. A description of the aforementioned devices is given in scientific and technical literature (e.g. Borodin I. F., Andreev S. A., “The Automation of Technological Processes and Automatic Control Systems” “Forum”, Kelim Y. M. “The Standard Elements of Automatic Control Systems,” 2004, etc.).

A first embodiment of a wind-driven electric plant shown in FIG. 1( a) comprises a mast 1 with a windwheel 2 and a generator (not shown in figures), located into a nacelle 3, a shielding chamber 4 with a base 5, walls 6 and a cover 7. A response sensor 8 is placed at the mast 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1( b), the mast 1 comprises sections 9, connected with each other by hinges 10, each said hinge equipped with circular hydraulic actuators 11, connected by the flexible hoses 12 with the compressor 13 with the electromotor (not shown in figures) for fluid supply from the hydraulic receiver (not shown in figures) to the hydraulic actuators 11. The circular hydraulic drive 11 may be of the type shown in the seven volume book written by I. I. Artobolevskogo, “Mechanisms in the Modern Technics,” published by “Science”, Moscow 1980, in volume 1, “Hydraulic and Pneumatic Drives” under the heading “Hydraulic Drives,” p. 625.

Referring now back to FIG. 1( a), the mast 1 is fastened on the base 5 by means of the post 14, rigidly fastened to the mast 1 base with the flanged fastener 15 on one side and to the base 5 with the hinge 16 on the other. The post 14 is connected via hinge 17 with one end of the rod 18, said rod 18 connected to the screw electric drive 19, and rests against the fixing unloading device 20. Additionally, the screw electric drive 19 is connected with the manually driven rotation device 22 of the electric drive 19 via the reduction unit 21 as shown in FIG. 1( c).

The cover 7 is connected by the hinge 23 with the lever 24, said lever 24 in its turn connected via the hinge 25 with the base 5 of the chamber 4 and via the hinge 26 with the other end of the rod 19. Additionally, the wind-driven electric plant contains the independent power supply unit 27, disposed in the chamber 4 and connected with the compressor 13 and the electric drive 19 via the electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 1).

In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the mast 1 is comprised of a plurality of sections 9 that are rigidly fastened to each other. The mast 1 thus remains fully extended when it is lowered into the stowed position as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. The chamber 4 and cover 7 are sized to allow for the stowing and unstowing of the windwheel 2 with the mast 1 fully extended.

A second embodiment shown in FIG. 3( a), 3(b) and 3(c) comprises a mast 1 with a windwheel 2 and a generator (not shown in figures) located in a nacelle 3, a shielding chamber 4 with a base 5, walls 6 and a cover 7. The nacelle 3 is connected to the mast 1 by the hinge 8, equipped with the circular hydraulic actuator 9, as shown in FIG. 3( b). A response sensor 10 is placed on the mast 1.

The mast 1 comprises sections 11, equipped with the hydraulic actuator 12 of telescopic type, connected by the flexible hose 13 with the electrically driven compressor 14 and the electric motor (not shown in figures) for fluid supply from the hydraulic receiver 15 to the device hydraulic actuators. Furthermore, the compressor 14 is connected with the manually driven compressor 17 via the reduction unit 16.

The mast 1 bottom section is located in the through hole of the post 18, rigidly fastened to the base 5 by bolt fixtures, for example (not shown in figures).

The circular hydraulic actuator 19, connected by the hose 20 with the compressor 14 is located on the cover 7 of the shielding chamber 4. The compressor 14 is also connected with the hydraulic actuator 9 of the nacelle 3 by the hose 21.

Also, the wind-driven electric plant comprises the independent power supply source 22, allocated in the chamber 4 and connected with the compressor 14 via the electronic switch (not shown in figures).

The first embodiment at FIGS. 1( a-d) operates in the following way. In a stowed mode, the mast 1 is disposed on the base 5 in the shielding chamber 4. On receiving a command from the remote control console (not shown in FIG. 1) via the automatic electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 1) to the screw electric drive 19, the rod 18 starts moving from left-side position to the right, pushes the hinge 26 of the leverage 24 and opens the cover 7 by means of the hinges 23 and 25. Simultaneously, the rod 18, connected at its other end with the post 14 via the hinge 17, causes the movement of the post 14 and by means of the hinge 16 raises the mast 1 with the windwheel 2 and the nacelle 3 to the vertical position, whereupon the wind-driven electric plant enters the operating mode.

In a case of any extreme situation, a command from the response sensor 8 via the automatic electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 1) is received by the screw electric drive 19, which drives the rod 18 from left-side position to right and turns the post relatively to the hinged connection 16, lowering the mast 1 from the vertical to the horizontal position, thereby stowing the mast 1, windwheel 2 and nacelle 3 in the shielding chamber 4. Simultaneously, the rod 18 by means of the hinge 26 causes the movement of the leverage 24 and closes the cover 7 by means of the hinges 23 and 25. Manual control mode supposes the execution of all abovementioned operations by means of the manually driven rotation device 22 of the screw electric drive 19 through the reduction unit 21.

Folding and spreading of the mast 1 sections are performed either in vertical or in horizontal positions, with no connection to the abovementioned actions. On accepting a command from the outer control remote console (not shown in FIG. 1) by the automatic electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 1), the said switch turns on the independent power supply unit 22, connected with the compressor 13, via the flexible hose 12, allocated inside the sections 9 of the mast 1, which delivers the fluid under pressure from hydraulic receiver (not shown in FIG. 1) to the circular hydraulic actuator 11 of the upper section with the windwheel 2 and the nacelle 3 at first, and sets the section in rotation relatively to the hinge 10 till the superposition with the next section.

Thereafter the fluid is delivered from the compressor 13 via the flexible hose 12 to the hydraulic actuator of the next section and said next section is rotated relatively to the hinge, connecting the first and the second sections etc. To fold the mast as shown in FIG. 1( d), when a particular command from the outer control remote console (not shown in FIG. 1) comes to the automatic electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 1), said electronic switch turns on the independent power supply unit 22, connected with the compressor 13, which reduces pressure in the hydraulic actuator 11, extracting fluid via the hose 12, hereupon the sections 9 start rotation in the opposite direction relatively to the hinge 10. The manually driven compressor for fluid supply to the hydraulic actuators 11 via the hose 12 is used for the manual mast folding and spreading.

The second embodiment FIGS. 3( a-c) operate in the following way. The assembled mast 1, composing set of sections 309, stowed in each other, is allocated on the base 5 in the shielding chamber 4. The nacelle 3 with the windwheel 2, connected with the top section via the hinge 10, is declined sideway and lies on the base 5, as well as shown in phantom in FIG. 3( a). On accepting a command from the control remote console (not shown in FIG. 2) the automatic electronic switch (not shown in FIG. 2) turns on the independent power supply unit 322, connected with the compressor 314, which is used for delivering fluid under pressure from the hydraulic actuator 315 to the telescopic arrangement of the hydraulic actuators 12 via the hose 313, for fluid supply of the circular hydraulic actuator 319 of the cover 7 via the hose 320 and for fluid supply of the circular hydraulic actuator 11 of the nacelle 3 via the hose 321. Under fluid pressure the pistons of the telescopic system start sequential lifting of the sections 309, simultaneously the circular hydraulic actuator 11 by fluid pressure lifts up the nacelle 3 with the windwheel rotating thereof relatively to the hinge 10. The circular hydraulic actuator 319 lifts up the cover 7. Just after setting of the mast 1 with the windwheel 2 and the nacelle 3 to the vertical position, the wind-driven electric plant comes to operating mode.

In a case of extreme situations on accepting a command from the response sensor 8, the independent power supply unit 322, turns on the compressor 314, which reduces pressure in the hydraulic actuators 11, 12, 321, pumping out fluid therefrom, causing the sections 309 telescopic folding and stowing in the shielding chamber 4, the nacelle 3 rotating and laying on the base 5, and closing the cover 7.

In manual control mode all abovementioned operations are performed by means of the manually driven compressor 317 through the liquid reducing gear 321.

Thereby, the claimed set of structural components of both embodiments of the wind-driven electric plant provide considerable effectiveness and an operational reliability increase under extreme situations, permitting to stow the mast with the windwheel and generator in the shielding chamber by a command of sensors, responding to a wide range of factors, indicating different extreme situation threat or approach, with ability thereof to further efficient setting to the operating position, decreasing the risk of mechanical damage or destruction of the plant structure elements and providing continuity of the plant operation process during this period.

Furthermore, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present invention in any way.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A wind-driven electric power plant comprising: a generator; a windwheel coupled to the generator; a mast having a first end coupled to the windwheel and a second end; a shielding chamber having a base, a sidewall and a cover connected to the sidewall; a mast mount rigidly connected to the second end of the mast and pivotally connected to the base of the shielding chamber; and a mast transfer mechanism coupled to the mast mount for moving the mast between an operating position with the windwheel outside of the chamber and a stored position with the windwheel inside of the chamber.
 2. The wind-driven electric power plant of claim 1, wherein the mast comprises a set of sections, pivotally connected with each other such that the mast has the capability of folding and spreading.
 3. The plant, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a manually operable mast folding and spreading mechanism.
 4. The plant, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a remote control device.
 5. The plant, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for opening and closing the shielding chamber cover, connected to an automatic control device.
 6. The plant, as recited in claim 5, wherein the mechanism for opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover includes a manual control device.
 7. The wind-driven electric power plant of claim 1, further comprising a motor connected to the mast transfer mechanism, a controller connected to the motor, and a sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to operate the mast transfer mechanism in response to an output from the sensor.
 8. The plant, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a response sensor selected from the group consisting of meteorological sensors, photo sensors and/or video sensors equipped with a comparator unit of a visual image and extreme situation images, radiation sensors, and radio signal receivers.
 9. The plant, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an independent power supply unit connected to an automatic control device.
 10. The plant, as recited in claim 9, wherein the independent supply source is realized as a solar photo converter.
 11. The plant, as recited in claim 9, wherein the independent supply source is realized as a solar thermal collector with thermal-electric energy converter.
 12. The plant, as recited in claim 9, wherein the independent supply source is realized as a diesel-electric unit along with an accumulator battery.
 13. The plant, as recited in claim 1, wherein the shielding chamber is located below ground level.
 14. A wind-driven electric plant, comprising: a mast with a windwheel and a generator; a shielding chamber with a base, walls and a cover; and an automatic control device, connected with a response sensor, said mast being stowable at the shielding chamber base by a fastening-lifting device, attached to a mast transfer mechanism for stowing the most into the shielding chamber and for setting the mast to an operating position, wherein said mast comprises a set of telescopic folding and spreading sections, said mast being connected with the automatic control device; and wherein said fastening-and-lifting device is realized as a post rigidly fastened to the shielding chamber base, with the ability of the mast vertical longitudinal movement therein.
 15. The plant, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a manual control configured to control the folding-and-spreading mechanism of the mast sections.
 16. The plant, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a remote control device.
 17. The plant, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a mechanism for opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover, connected with the automatic control device.
 18. The plant, as recited in claim 13, wherein the mechanism for opening and closing of the shielding chamber cover is configured for manual control.
 19. The plant, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a response sensor selected from the group consisting of meteorological sensors, photo sensors and/or video sensors equipped with a comparator unit of a visual image and extreme situation images, radiation sensors, and radio signal receivers.
 20. The plant, as recited in claim 13, further comprising an independent power supply unit connected to an automatic control device.
 21. The plant, as recited in claim 19, wherein the independent power supply unit is selected from the group consisting of a solar photo converter; a solar thermal collector with thermal-electric energy converter; and a diesel-electric unit and an accumulator battery.
 22. The plant, as recited in claim 13, wherein the shielding chamber is located below ground level. 